The number of years you can live with severe carotid stenosis depends on the patient’s specific condition and management plan, and cannot be generalized. Severe carotid artery stenosis is usually the result of carotid plaque. Carotid plaque is formed due to the presence of excessive lipid substances in the blood, which are gradually deposited in the arterial intima and are not treated in a timely manner. The plaque that forms will gradually develop and cause narrowing or occlusive-like changes in the vessel diameter. Severe stenosis of the carotid artery often indicates a carotid stenosis of 70%-99%, which is close to a state of complete occlusion of the vessel. At this point, the patient’s condition needs to be combined with the active choice of surgical treatment. If there are no other complications after surgery, it usually does not affect the patient’s life expectancy and is no different from that of a normal person. If no attention is paid, lifestyle is not adjusted and surgical treatment is not actively performed, it may lead to cerebral infarction or even coma and death at any time. If patients develop symptoms of intracranial ischemia, such as dizziness, headache, and transient black clouding, they should immediately be seen in neurology or vascular surgery to improve relevant examinations, clarify the specific condition, and give timely treatment to avoid deterioration of the condition.